If you've been following me for some time, you know that a short time ago, I was a full-time preschool teacher in the city of New Orleans. A little under a year ago, I decided to take a huge leap of faith and start my own business and home school my kids full-time. I was gifted a trip to Chicago to attend an early childhood education convention from my previous employers. I must say, I had an amazing time with some of the most amazing people. Here's a quick guide on where to go and what to see in the 'Windy City.'

I had the chance to stay at the Hyatt Regencywhich is in the center of just about EVERYTHING! The convention was held here also. So we didn't have to go far in order to enjoy the city. The Hyatt is less than a mile from Chicago's top attractions like the Navy Pier and Millennium Park.

The Hyatt also boasts these gorgeous views of the city, directly from the room we were staying in! It was so relaxing to enjoy a few days kid-free in such a beautiful city. The Hyatt is a full-service hotel, featuring a 24-hour fitness center, business services, a gift shop, and five, full-service restaurants.

I enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the American Craft Kitchen & Bar, which features a variety of freshly squeezed juices, breakfast sandwiches, and my favorite- fluffy pancakes! After the convention, my coworker (who is now a truly great friend of mine) and I enjoyed the ambiance of the bar as the evening came to an end. We enjoyed a variety of different foods and drinks. If you stay in this hotel, you won't want to leave!

Waking up every day while I was here felt magical. From the city views, to the hot, delicious breakfast and fresh coffee. Being able to view the city from your room only entices you to want to go out and explore even more. So that's exactly what we did.

2. Sight- Seeing:

In such a beautiful city like Chicago, you can spend most of your time sight-seeing and taking gorgeous photos of the landscape, like I did here.

You can't visit Chicago without grabbing a deep-dish pizza! For whatever reason, I didn't get a picture of the pizza itself, however, check out these drinks! I order the 'Magnificent Margarita' and my co-worker ordered the Long Island. Any margarita with the word 'magnificent' in front of it- count me in! Uno Pizzeria's drinks deserved a standing ovation, for sure. I loved the ambiance of this small restaurant and I appreciated it's charm.

If you're looking to snag a deal on pizza and drinks before your visit, I've found a coupon for 40% off for you here.

I have to say that Miss Ricky's Chicago is truly a hidden gem. Located at the forefront of the Virgin Hotels Chicago, Miss Ricky's offers a playful approach to breakfast and lunch. I'm a huge fan of Belgian waffles, so that's exactly what I ordered. While waiting, we served the most delicious blueberry donuts! The perfect addition to my cup of coffee while I waited on my entree. Check out what all of the excitement is about here.

By the time we finally got the chance to visit the Navy Pier, most of it had already closed. Not to mention, they don't call it the Windy City for no reason! Because the Pier is located right on the water, there's no reason the Pier was coming to a close so early. However, we couldn't leave the Pier without enjoying something, so we grabbed a bite to eat and of course, more margaritas! We were also able to see the city in lights while touring the downtown area.

This concludes the places that you must see, visit, and taste! We were only in town for a few days and it's safe to say we used pretty much every second of our time taking in as much as the city as we could. I hope you enjoyed! Have you ever been? If so, let me know in the comments and tell me your favorite places to see or things to do while visiting Chicago.